I hoped for more perseverance – Outgoing Gnabry criticised by Werder chairman

Serge Gnabry has been criticised for a lack of perseverance by Werder Bremen chairman Klaus Filbry after it was announced he will depart the club after just one season.

Gnabry initially impressed after his 2016 move from Arsenal, making his Germany debut, but eventually became a peripheral figure under Alexander Nouri and started just one Bundesliga game in the final two months of the campaign.

The 21-year-old winger has decided to activate an exit clause in his contract with Werder, frustrating Filbry with his decision.

“I would have hoped for some more perseverance from Serge,” Filbry told Werderstube. “Maybe he opted for the easiest way. I think it’s a pity, but I wish him all the best.

“I was hoping that he could imagine a longer stay at Bremen – and the talks we had also suggested that was an option. But then he did not really get going again after his injury. Maybe that made him change his mind.

“The decision made by the coach [to drop Gnabry] were absolutely understandable. We were successful and won.”

Filbry stated the nature of Gnabry’s exit would make it unlikely there would be additional funds to spend in the transfer market.

“We got him a year ago for a certain sum; now we’re selling him again for a certain sum,” he added.

“With the salary he’s got in the meantime, it’s almost a zero-sum game for us, thus opening up no new scope for action.”